AIBU to think that if your child leaving primary school is one of the hardest days of your life, you've had an easy life?

[Doyoumind]

Don't get me wrong. I understand it's a day full of emotions. I just saw someone make this statement on SM and think it's overly dramatic. If that's the worst life has to throw at you, you must be blessed.

Good for you Bookmum you should be proud of your contribution - and don't let anyone put you down for it -

To answer the op - yes a very emotionally charged day - we loved our primary school and they were very supportive of us as family (and demanded a lot of us too). And I am glad this rite of passage is marked appropriately with a leaver's assembly etc (no prom here thank heavens ) and perhaps the odd photo on Facebook posted for close family, but I don't like overblown schmaltizness!

Leaving primary was a big deal for DD in a way that a period of her quite short life changed but it was not really for me.

Yes, on the last day it felt a bit strange, you go to the same place for seven years and now not anymore. But I think for an adult you are used to changes in your life.

DD was already quite independent in her year 6, she had a key, phone, walked a lot on her own and even spend holidays away from us. So that transition was hardly new for us.

I think it depends a lot on the parent, I have a friend who, in my opinion, is a bit over invested in her children’s school life and likes to post on SM a bit much about it. But I a: sure others find my more distant approach to plaster every achievement on SM strange as well.

I get what the OP means. We live in a time where we conflate a normal emotion with an extreme one. So now a normal reaction of feeling sad and emotional for an afternoon = distress and pain and something to ruminate on. If you read articles by doctors and psychologists on stress, it’s why we are now all stressed and anxious. We are conflating normal, necessary and healthy stress with being anxious. It’s not the same thing. We live in a time of competitive hyperbole.

I don’t think it’s pointless either but the stark truth is it isn’t needed.

I'm a school governor and went to a leavers assembly yesterday to give our some awards. Cried my eyes out to see those children that started the school only 5 minutes ago as little more than babies grow and become the wonderful little human beings they are today - all ready for their next adventure

slinks off in embarrassment as I'm welling up even writing this

Good for you @bookmum08

I hope to do the same for my children

I don’t think it’s pointless either but the stark truth is it isn’t needed

You’re seriously saying volunteers in schools aren’t needed?

I agree. It is emotional and a big milestone. I'm sure I'll shed a few tears when the day comes. Definitely not the worst day of someone's life though

I agree that it's a little dramatic to say it's the "worst day of my life", but I was feeling sad yesterday about my dd's last day at primary school. She's my youngest, so it means that our time in that school is finished, and both my dcs had wonderful years there. I also became friends with a wonderful group of parents, so we were all a little tearful that our little community is going to change in September. Of course we are all excited for our dcs going on to the next stage, and we know that they are ready, but we're allowed to feel a bit sad that they are growing up!

My DD was happy to leave primary school after the wasted year dedicated to SATs.
To be fair a lot of her friends were moving to the same school(not surprising since there is one primary school and one secondary school).I had just got a fair from Instead.
Instead she was looking forward to 3 days at the school at the beginning of the holidays where a charity helped fundI day of fun activities,One day of learning how to get around the school,quizzes and mini classes with their new teachers and one day at Alton towers.She met people she did know,friends of friends and was happy to start.
My down day was seeing how much her uniform cost!

It was and I’ve acknowledged that. Just the same, eleven years is a LONG time not to have been working

Did anyone ask for your opinion on this matter? What the hell has it got to do with you?

We found it tough
DC starts SS on his own and it’s not the dream school
He has been really sad and I am too as we had it bloody good at last school

I am also Pathetically triggered as had a very tough time at SS

Plus it’s a bit sensitive how people did get the desired school , and the many that did not get its #bitter

So it’s been surprisingly shit !

Pika
My dd isn’t going to the school she applied for whereas her friend is. I am not bitter. It just is. I also had an incredibly awful time at secondary. It still can be different for your ds. Dd cried herself to sleep last week on the last day of term. She will be fine. And if she isn’t I will deal with the situation.

Must admit, I was rubbing my hands with glee when my youngest started school

Am so glad my youngest has just finished primary school.
This last fortnight has been hell. A constant barrage of requests....Send your DC in on non uniform day with money, send money for DCs class party, send money for leaver;s disco, send money for Leaver's party, buy a Leaver's hoodie, pay for Leaver's school trip to Theme Park, send a selection of DVDs for the children to watch as they won't actually be doing any school work but don't even think about taking them on holiday as they will miss vital school days
It's just a non stop barrage. By the time they break up I am shattered.
DD at secondary school did....nothing, except finished an hour earlier on the last day. Bliss.

Yep. Secondary school is bliss

My DD left primary in 2009 so a long time ago now. I was emotional about leaving the primary era behind but I cant say I was sad that she was leaving, there were no tears from me. I was proud of what she achieved and excited about her future and becoming a young adult.

When she left home for Uni that was hard. And it still wasn't up there with my dad dying.

I think schools have gone over aboard with leaving primary schools these days which leaves parents and children over-emotional, children scared and devastated about leaving primary. Leavers hoodies, mawkish songs, umpteenth leavers types assemblies.

Yeah I agree with that chips

It's emotions. My eldest is in and out of hospital, has a rubbish attendance because of it, but has come out of year one as 'over expectation for age level' for the three r's. I know I be a wreck when the time comes to leave due to everything she's gone through and what she's overcome. It won't be the worst day of my life, but I know I will be a blubbering wreck through pride, and I'm not one to show my emotions really.

I didn't cry when either of my DC finished primary school, DD finished last month. I'm hard as nails, me. I should have cried when DS finished though, and would have if I'd known how quickly everything would go to shit for him once he got to secondary.

I think schools have gone over aboard with leaving primary schools these days which leaves parents and children over-emotional, children scared and devastated about leaving primary. Leavers hoodies, mawkish songs, umpteenth leavers types assemblies

Don’t forget the prize giving, transitions to high school and not just one day, PE transitions, music, French, days and days!

The high school teachers said Y7 used to come in scared and now they come in cocky as if they own the place.

How did we win two world wars? Everyone seems so weak and emotional these days. Get a grip.

How did we win two world wars? Everyone seems so weak and emotional these days. Get a grip

MN bullshit trope bingo!!

JacquesHammer - I was being slightly tongue in cheek but the principle still stands. People ARE overly emotional and whiny. If World War III started today I do wonder how people would cope seeing as they sob over their child “graduating” nursery or primary school or Love Island.